What is Ethanol

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Ethanol is a renewable fuel made from various plant materials, which collectively are called "biomass." Ethanol contains the same chemical compound (C2H5OH) found in alcoholic beverages. Nearly half of U.S. gasoline contains ethanol in a low-level blend to oxygenate the fuel and reduce air pollution. Ethanol is also increasingly available in E85, an alternative fuel that can be used in flexible fuel vehicles. Studies have estimated that ethanol and other biofuels could replace 30% or more of U.S. gasoline demand by 2030.

Several steps are required to make ethanol available as a vehicle fuel—see the supply chain diagram below. Biomass feedstocks are grown, then various logistical systems are used to collect and transport them to ethanol production facilities. After ethanol is produced at the facilities, a distribution network supplies ethanol-gasoline blends to fueling stations for use by drivers.

This page lists basic ethanol topics. To learn more, select one of the following links or select a step in the ethanol supply chain diagram.



Source: US Department of Energy